| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.39 |
| Liaison | Stephanie MacPhee |
| Submission Date | Feb. 5, 2025 |
Dalhousie University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Stephanie
MacPhee Executive Director Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, or regions of conservation importance?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
No – According to data from Important Bird Areas: https://www.ibacanada.com/explore_how.jsp?lang=EN and the significant species data base: https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/habitats/hab-data/
Endangered and vulnerable species
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
The attached document (below) identifies a review of campus spaces and endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species).
Areas of biodiversity importance
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
* A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution is provided in the Natural Environment Plan and the Biodiversity, Cultural Teaching, Campus Planting and Events document.
https://www.dal.ca/content/dam/www/about/mission-vision-and-values/sustainability/natural-environment-plan.pdf
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
Original and published observations, report and literature assessment, and engagement with Dalhousie faculty, students and staff have informed the data identification process.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The Dalhousie Faculty of Science organizes BioBlitz on a regular basis engaging campus and community members in species observations. Data is uploaded to INaturalist. Community-wide observations from iNaturalist are also utilized. The Office of Sustainability and some classes conduct tree and bird surveys, identifying species, and other features for like tree health and height and width. The OS also conducts biodiversity surveys in key pollinator habitat areas as part of our commitment as a Bee City Campus.
Other methodologies include: campus tree values survey and interviews, campus geological studies, campus sustainability surveys, campus master plans, consultation with grounds management staff and professional consultation.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
-
Natural Environment Plan and Design Guidelines created and maintained.
-
Diameter tree-replacement and campus-wide tree planting program.
-
Campus-wide plantings for biodiversity and cultural teachings.
-
Bee City Campus Program: Coordinated research and collaborative projects
-
Naturalization of specific areas
-
Biodiversity and cultural teaching special projects: e.g. EcoLab
-
Ongoing biodiversity assessments and inventories: Bio-Blitz, tree and bird surveys
-
University Avenue redevelopment and bi-centennial commons
Optional Fields
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://www.dal.ca/news/2023/12/13/dalhousie-canada-bee-campus-pollinator-protection.html
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.